Major Products: Offset, gravure, inkjet and specialty inks.

Number of Employees: More than 25,000 worldwide; approximately 150 in CR\T. (Ink World estimate)

Operating Facilities: Hartford, WI; Lomira, WI; Oklahoma City, OK; Martinsburg, WV; Greenfield, IA; Wyszków, Poland.

Comments: A leading marketing solutions provider, Quad/Graphics has been actively transforming its business, from being primarily a publication printing operation to making headway into the creative field.

Headquartered in Sussex, WI, Quad/Graphics had a solid year overall in 2019. Quad’s net sales were $3.9 billion in 2019 as compared to $4 billion in 2018, down 1.6%. The results reflect new sales generated from the company’s Quad 3.0 growth strategy, offset by ongoing print industry volume and pricing pressures. Integrated services revenue now accounts for approximately 20% of net sales.

“In 2020, we will continue to make prudent, long-term decisions as we accelerate the transformation of our company as a marketing solutions partner with a strong foundation in print,” Quadracci continued. “This transformation, which we call Quad 3.0, is focused on counteracting ongoing print industry volume declines in order to reposition the business toward growth. During 2019, this strategy led to $225 million of organic incremental sales growth, helping to significantly offset print sales decline. Our ultimate goal is to completely offset the organic sales decline through the growth of our higher-margin marketing solutions, which drive revenue across all our products and services.”

Free cash flow, excluding $61 million in payments from the terminated LSC Communications acquisition, was $106 million in 2019, as compared to $164 million in 2018.

“In fiscal 2020, we remain disciplined in our efforts to manage our costs, and drive earnings and free cash flow growth to reduce our leverage and further strengthen our balance sheet,” Dave Honan, EVP and CFO, said. “In line with these goals, we have doubled our previously announced $50 million cost reduction program to $100 million, which we expect to fully realize in 2020.”

Quad/Graphics uses 250 million pounds of ink annually, according to a Feb. 20, 2018 report by BizTimes, and purchases 10 million pounds of pigment annually. Chemical Research/Technology (CR/T), Quad/Graphics’s ink manufacturing subsidiary, supplies the vast majority of offset, gravure, inkjet and security inks to Quad’s printing plants, and does not sell inks outside of Quad.

Major Products: Offset, gravure, inkjet and specialty inks.

Number of Employees: More than 25,000 worldwide; approximately 100 in CR/T. (Ink World estimate)

Operating Facilities: Lomira, WI; Oklahoma City, OK; Martinsburg, WV; Greenfield, IA; Hartford, WI; Wyszków, Poland.

Comments: Headquartered in Sussex, WI, Quad/Graphics made huge news this year with a number of acquisitions, mainly in the creative field, as well as its rebranding. However, the announcement that Quad/Graphics is in the process of acquiring LSC Communications has the potential to transform the publication printing field.

A leading marketing solutions provider, Quad/Graphics is the second largest publication printer worldwide, with net sales of $4.2 billion in 2018. Quad will acquire LSC Communications in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $1.4 billion. As of Sept. 30, 2018, the combined company would have had annual revenue of approximately $8 billion, making it the largest publication printer in the world. The transaction is expected to close in mid-2019

“This is a defining moment in Quad’s 47-year journey,” said Joel Quadracci, Quad/Graphics chairman, president and CEO. “We have grown from a printer with a single facility to a global marketing solutions provider with a seamless, integrated offering that creates more value for all our stakeholders at a time of significant media disruption.”

In February, Quad/Graphics, Inc. announced that it is evolving its brand from Quad/Graphics to Quad to reflect the role it now plays with clients as a marketing solutions partner.

“Through our Quad 3.0 strategy, we have been transforming our company – and our value to clients – over time and now have an offering that extends beyond print and content execution to include an integrated stack of marketing services,” said Quadracci. “Today we are announcing an update to our brand identity to reflect our evolution as a marketing solutions partner.”

Chemical Research/Technology (CR/T) is a subsidiary of Quad/Graphics. Founded in 1982, CR/T produces most of the offset, gravure, inkjet and security inks the company uses. CR/T manufactures hundreds of millions of pounds of ink every year.

As for 2018, Quad increased full-year 2018 net sales 1.5% to $4.2 billion, with integrated services revenue now accounting for approximately 20% of net sales. Quad generated cash flow from operations of $261 million and free cash flow of $164 million for full-year 2018 Free cash flow was $258 million in 2017. The company reduced its debt leverage ratio to 2.11x, net of excess cash.

“2018 was a truly pivotal year in our Quad 3.0 transformation,” Quadracci added. “While maintaining our focus on preserving our high-quality, low-cost producer status, we made strategic investments to accelerate our transformation as a marketing solutions partner by acquiring Ivie & Associates, increasing our investment in Rise Interactive to majority ownership and, in January 2019, acquiring Periscope.”

Major Products: Offset, gravure, inkjet and specialty inks.

Number of Employees: Approximately 100 in CR/T. (Ink World estimate)

Operating Facilities: Lomira, WI; Oklahoma City, OK; Martinsburg, WV; Greenfield, IA; Hartford, WI; Wyszków, Poland.

Comments: The second largest publication printer worldwide, Quad/Graphics is a global provider of print and related multichannel solutions for consumer magazines, special interest publications, catalogs, retail inserts and circulars, direct mail products, books and directories. Headquartered in Sussex, WI, the company employs more than 25,000 employees and operates more than 70 print-production facilities worldwide.

In 2017, the company reported net sales of $4.1 billion, a decline of 4.6% from 2016. Free cash flow was $258 million in 2017 vs. $246 million in 2016.

“We are pleased with our fourth quarter and full-year 2017 results, which were in-line with our expectations and demonstrate continued execution of our strategic priorities to generate consistent earnings and strong, sustainable free cash flow that further strengthen our balance sheet, provide long-term shareholder value and accelerate our Quad 3.0 transformation,” said Joel Quadracci, Quad/Graphics chairman, president and CEO.

“Quad/Graphics continues to generate significant free cash flow, which is important to maintaining a strong and flexible balance sheet that supports our disciplined capital deployment strategy,” said Dave Honan, Quad/Graphics EVP and CFO. “We reduced debt by $166 million in 2017 and improved our debt leverage ratio to 1.99x, when excluding excess cash, which is below our long-term targeted leverage range of 2.0x to 2.5x.”

Founded in 1982, Chemical Research/Technology (CR/T), a subsidiary of Quad/Graphics, produces most of the offset, gravure, inkjet and security inks the company uses.

Major Products: Offset, gravure, inkjet and specialty inks.

Number of Employees: Approximately 100 (Ink World estimate) in CR/T.

Operating Facilities: Lomira, WI; Oklahoma City, OK; Martinsburg, WV; Greenfield, IA; Hartford, WI; Wyszków, Poland.

Comments: Quad/Graphics, Sussex, WI, is the second largest publication printer worldwide. Quad/Graphics is a global provider of print and related multichannel solutions for consumer magazines, special interest publications, catalogs, retail inserts and circulars, direct mail products, books and directories. The company employs more than 25,000 employees and operates more than 70 print-production facilities worldwide.

In 2015, the company reported net sales of $4.7 billion in 2015, which had declined from $4.9 billion in 2014. Free cash flow was $215 million in 2015 vs. $154 million in 2014.

Quad/Graphics’ net sales for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2016, were $3.1 billion, down 4.6% decrease from the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2015. Organic sales decreased 3.7% due to ongoing industry volume and pricing pressures. However, the nine-month adjusted EBITDA increased $26 million to $340 million, and adjusted EBITDA margin rose to 10.9% as compared to 9.6%. Free cash flow was $202 million for the first nine months of 2016, compared to $68 million in the first nine months of 2015.

“Our operational efficiency and cost reduction programs have propelled us to stronger earnings and cash flow generation during the first nine months of 2016,” said Dave Honan, EVP and CFO. “We’ve used the strong cash flow to reduce debt by $346 million, or 23%, since peak debt levels at Sept. 30, 2015. The debt reduction, combined with increased earnings, resulted in a significant reduction of the debt leverage ratio from 3.07x at Sept. 30, 2015, to 2.37x at Sept. 30, 2016.”

Quad/Graphics produces most of the inks it uses through its subsidiary, Chemical Research/Technology (CR/T). Founded in 1982, CR/T produces high-quality offset and gravure inks, as well as inkjet inks and specialty products such as security inks.

Major Products: Offset, gravure, inkjet and specialty inks.

Number of Employees: Approximately 100 (Ink World estimate) in CR/T.

Operating Facilities: Lomira, WI; Oklahoma City, OK; Martinsburg, WV; Greenfield, IA; Hartford, WI; Wyszków, Poland.

Comments: Headquartered in Sussex, WI, Quad/Graphics is the second largest publication printer worldwide. The company reported net sales of $4.7 billion in 2015, down from $4.9 billion in 2014. Full-year Adjusted EBITDA also declined, from $543 million in 2014 to $472 million in 2015. Free cash flow rose to $215 million in 2015, compared to $154 million in 2014.

Quad/Graphics is a global provider of print and related multichannel solutions for consumer magazines, special interest publications, catalogs, retail inserts and circulars, direct mail products, books and directories. The company employs more than 25,000 employees and operates more than 70 print-production facilities worldwide.

Quad/Graphics founded its Chemical Research/Technology (CR/T) division in 1982 to meet its ink requirements. The CR/T Division manufactures high-quality offset and gravure inks, as well as inkjet inks and specialty products such as security inks.

CR/T manufactures hundreds of millions of pounds of ink annually, with an emphasis on environmentally friendly inks.

Major Products: Offset, gravure, inkjet and specialty inks.

Number of Employees: Approximately 100 (Ink World estimate) in CR/T.

Operating Facilities: Lomira, WI; Oklahoma City, OK; Martinsburg, WV; Greenfield, IA; Hartford, WI; Wyszków, Poland.

Comments: Quad/Graphics is a global provider of print and related multichannel solutions for consumer magazines, special interest publications, catalogs, retail inserts and circulars, direct mail products, books and directories. Quad/Graphics is the second largest publication printer, with more than $4 billion sales annually.

In June 2014, Quad/Graphics announced the completion of its acquisition of Brown Printing Company for a net purchase price of $100 million. Prior to that, Quad/Graphics acquired billion-dollar printers Worldcolor (2010) and Vertis (2013).

“Brown is an ideal fit with Quad/Graphics,” said Joel Quadracci, chairman, president and CEO. “As Brown’s employees and operations join our worldwide platform, Quad/Graphics is better positioned than ever to help magazine publishers and catalog marketers capitalize on the power of print and integrated media solutions to further drive results.”

The combined company employs more than 25,000 employees and operates more than 70 print-production facilities worldwide.

On Jan. 14, 2015, Quad announced that it is transforming its book business, and is planning on adding 20 or more HP high-speed color digital web presses.

“With this investment in digital presses and integrated systems, we can support a broad industry transition to a print-on-demand, zero-inventory model,” said Quadracci.

Quad/Graphics created its Chemical Research/Technology (CR/T) division in 1982 to meet its ink needs. The CR/T Division manufactures high-quality offset and gravure inks, as well as inkjet inks and specialty products such as security inks. CR/T manufactures hundreds of millions of pounds of ink annually.

Major Products: Offset, gravure, inkjet and specialty inks.

Number of Employees: Approximately 100 (Ink World estimate) in CR/T

Operating Facilities: Lomira, WI; Oklahoma City, OK; Martinsburg, WV; Greenfield, IA; Hartford, WI; Wyszków, Poland.

Comments: Quad/Graphics is a global provider of print and related multichannel solutions for consumer magazines, special interest publications, catalogs, retail inserts and circulars, direct mail products, books and directories.

In 2013, the company recorded sales of $4.8 billion, spurred on by a series of major acquisitions, including billion-dollar printers Worldcolor (2010) and Vertis (2013). This was an increase over sales of $4.1 billion for 2012, driven primarily by the addition of Vertis. The company’s adjusted EBITDA was $577 million, or 12%, for 2013, down from 13.8% in 2012.

To meet its ink needs, Quad/Graphics created its Chemical Research/Technology (CR/T) division in 1982. The CR/T division manufactures high-quality offset and gravure inks, as well as inkjet inks and specialty products such as security inks. All told, CR/T manufactures hundreds of millions of pounds of ink annually.

One of the interesting aspects of CR/T is its emphasis on environmentally friendly inks. The company’s EnviroTech line of offset inks has approximately 27% renewable resource content, and the company reports that all of its offset inks have at least 20% renewable resource content.

Major Products: Offset, gravure, inkjet and specialty inks.

Number of Employees: Approximately 100 (Ink World estimate).

Operating Facilities: Lomira, WI; Oklahoma City, OK; Martinsburg, WV; Greenfield, IA; Hartford, WI; Wyszków, Poland.

Comments: Quad/Graphics is a global provider of print and related multichannel solutions for consumer magazines, special interest publications, catalogs, retail inserts and circulars, direct mail products, books and directories.

In 2011, Quad/Graphics recorded net sales of $4.67 billion, a slight decline over sales of $4.76 billion for 2010. The company’s adjusted EBITDA was $638 million for 2011. That likely will grow, as Quad/Graphics’ share of the market is expanding, as seen by the recent announcement it has reached a new, $900 million-plus multi-year agreement with Time Inc. that significantly extends and expands its magazine print work for the company.

The company has undergone a huge expansion during the past three years, adding Worldcolor (formerly Quebecor World) in July 2010. In February 2012, Quad/Graphics added Williamson Printing Corp., a Dallas, TX-based commercial and specialty printer. In January 2013, Quad/Graphics finalized its acquisition of Vertis, a specialist in retail advertising inserts, direct marketing and in-store marketing.

With an eye on meeting its printing ink requirements, Quad/Graphics formed its Chemical Research/Technology (CR/T) division in 1982. CR/T produces high-quality offset and gravure inks as well as inkjet inks and specialty products such as security inks, producing hundreds of millions of pounds of ink every year.

Long before most companies started looking into environmentally friendly products, CR/T emphasized adding renewable content. Today, its EnviroTech line of offset inks has approximately 27% renewable resource content, and all of CR/T’s offset inks have at least 20% renewable resource content.

Major Products: Offset, gravure inks and inkjet inks.

Number of Employees: Approximately 100

Operating Facilities: Lomira, WI; Oklahoma City, OK; Martinsburg, WV; Greenfield, IA; Hartford, WI; Wyszków, Poland.

Comments: With sales approaching $4.8 billion in 2010, Quad/Graphics is a global provider of print and related multichannel solutions for consumer magazines, special interest publications, catalogs, retail inserts and circulars, direct mail products, books and directories. The company is continuing its integration of Worldcolor, which it acquired in July 2010.

In order to meet its printing ink needs, Quad/Graphics formed its Chemical Research/Technology (CR/T) division in 1982. CR/T manufactures high-quality offset and gravure inks, producing hundreds of millions of pounds of ink every year.

CR/T prides itself on developing environmentally friendly inks, beginning with its EnviroTech line of offset inks, which have approximately 27% renewable resource content. All of CR/T’s offset inks have at least 20% renewable resource content.

Major Products: Offset, gravure inks and inkjet inks.

Number of Employees: Approximately 100

Operating Facilities: Lomira, WI; Oklahoma City, OK; Martinsburg, WV; Greenfield, IA; Hartford, WI; Wyszków, Poland.

Comments: In July 2010, Quad/Graphics changed the face of the North American printing industry with its acquisition of Worldcolor. As a result, Quad/Graphics is now a $4.8 billion global provider of print and related multichannel solutions for consumer magazines, special interest publications, catalogs, retail inserts and circulars, direct mail products, books and directories.

Quad/Graphics is highly regarded for its high-quality offset and gravure printing. In order to supply its ink needs, Quad/Graphics formed its Chemical Research/Technology (CR\\T) division in 1982. CR\\T produces hundreds of millions of pounds of ink annually in North America, and the company branched out into Europe in 2010, opening its first European ink plant in Wyszków, Poland.